Read-Post Through the Bible

[daniel1212av]

(Exo 14)  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, {2} Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. {3} For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. {4} And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

{5} And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? {6} And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: {7} And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. {8} And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. {9} But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. {10} And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. {11} And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? {12} Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. {13} And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. {14} The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. {15} And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: {16} But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. {17} And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. {18} And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. {19} And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: {20} And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. {21} And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

{22} And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. {23} And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. {24} And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, {25} And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. {26} And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. {27} And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. {28} And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. {29} But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. {30} Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. {31} And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

[daniel1212av]

Exo 14:1-9 - ....What seems to tend to the church's ruin, is often overruled to the ruin of the church's enemies. While Pharaoh gratified his malice and revenge, he furthered the bringing to pass God's counsels concerning him. Though with the greatest reason he had let Israel go, yet now he was angry with himself for it. God makes the envy and rage of men against his people, a torment to themselves. Those who set their faces heavenward, and will live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to be set upon by Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely part with any out of his service. – MHCC.

Vs. 1 – 4: The LORD, as a sure guide, instructs Moses which route to take, and foretells what Pharaoh would do. Such intelligence is what every army commander wishes he had.

Vs. 5 – 9: As the LORD foretold, He hardened Pharaoh's already hard heart and he and 600 chosen chariots pursued Israel and approached them near Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.

Exo 14:10-14 -
There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. We may be in the way of duty, following God, and hastening toward heaven, yet may be troubled on every side. Some cried out unto the Lord; their fear led them to pray, and that was well. God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to our knees. Others cried out against Moses; fear set them murmuring as if God were not still able to work miracles. They quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and so were angry with God for the greatest kindness ever done them; thus gross are the absurdities of unbelief. Moses says, Fear ye not. It is always our duty and interest, when we cannot get out of troubles, yet to get above our fears; let them quicken our prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope. “Stand still,” think not to save yourselves either by fighting or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them. Compose yourselves, by confidence in God, into peaceful thoughts of the great salvation God is about to work for you. If God brings his people into straits, he will find a way to bring them out. – MHCC.

Vs. 10 – The response of the Israelites here and in so many places puts to rest any notion that God chose them because of their virtues, as despite the marvelous demonstration of God's power on their behalf, they remain quite faithless and expect the worse. This is typical of an unrepentant victim mentality, which is born of resentment, with it's basic unwarranted and faithless attitude and insistence that evil will happen to them or that imagines conspiracy against them (which Israel later also shows), and is oversensitive to negative treatment. We must repent from holding any such resentment and victim mentality that beget such an attitude, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Heb. 3:14, 6).

V.12:  “Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” This reveals that their response here was not of a sudden failure of faith, but was consistent with their general attitude. Graciously, the Lord did not give unto them according to their negative faith (Mk. 9:29).

(Psa 135:3-9)  Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. {4} For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. {5} For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. {6} Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. {7} He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. {8} Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. {9} Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants.

Vs. 13, 14: Moses exhorts the people to “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD” as of today the they shall see the Egyptians no more for ever.

Exo 14:15-20 -
Moses' silent prayers of faith prevailed more with God than Israel's loud outcries of fear. The pillar of cloud and fire came behind them, where they needed a guard, and it was a wall between them and their enemies. The word and providence of God have a black and dark side toward sin and sinners, but a bright and pleasant side toward the people of the Lord. He, who divided between light and darkness, Gen_1:4, allotted darkness to the Egyptians, and light to the Israelites. Such a difference there will be between the inheritance of the saints in light, and that utter darkness which will be the portion of hypocrites for ever

V. 15 – 22 But evidently Moses was earnestly pleading to God under the stress of the situation, which certainly has it's place, but the Lord has specifically promised to presently act in this situation and now was not the place for much praying but for doing. When God gives the green light it is time to act, yet in a prayerful attitude. The Lord thus gives Moses specific instructions as to what to do, and so Moses commands the “children of Israel” – a term that occurs 644 times in the Bible – to “go forward.” The angel of God goes from before the camp of Israel to behind them, likewise the pillar of the cloud, which gives darkness to Egyptians but gives light to the people of God. This was surely a mighty and awesome sight that certainly should have encouraged all, as it is yet promised, “the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward” (Is. 52:12). Moses then lifts up his rod over the Red (not reed) Sea and the Lord turns back the flow of the river with a mighty east wind, which divides the water and leaves dry land for the children of Israel to pass through.
 
“Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known” (Psa 77:19) 
Vs. 24, 25: The Egyptians pursue Israel after they pass through the sea, but just before daybreak  “the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.” He forces the chariot wheels to come off, so essentially they have flat tires, and they cry, “Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.”  “.... Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb (Rev 6:16b). .For ”The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. {16} The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth” (Psa 34:15-16; 1 Pet 3:12) .   

To be continued..

[daniel1212av]

Exo 14:21-31 -
The dividing the Red sea was the terror of the Canaanites, Jos_2:9; the praise and triumph of the Israelites, Psa_114:3; Psa_106:9; Psa_136:13. It was a type of baptism, 1Co_10:1, 1Co_10:2. Israel's passage through it was typical of the conversion of souls, Isa_11:15; and the Egyptians being drowned in it was typical of the final ruin of all unrepenting sinners. God showed his almighty power, by opening a passage through the waters, some miles over. God can bring his people through the greatest difficulties, and force a way where he does not find it. It was an instance of his wonderful favour to his Israel. They went through the sea, they walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea. This was done, in order to encourage God's people in all ages to trust him in the greatest straits.... The ruin of sinners is brought on by their own rage and presumption. They might have let Israel alone, and would not; now they would flee from the face of Israel, and cannot. Men will not be convinced, till it is too late, that those who meddle with God's people, meddle to their own hurt

Vs. 26 –  The Lord has Moses stretches forth his hand over the sea to drown the Egyptians, and when morning came the the sea returned to it's strength and covered and drowned Pharaoh and his entire army, and “there remained not so much as one of them.” but (the Israelites walked on dry land in the midst of the sea. They later see dead Egyptians upon the sea shore. In another climatic war, after judgment that this one upon upon Egypt foreshadowed, the Israel of God “shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh” (Isa 66:24).

Exo_14: 30 – 31: The Israelites saw the Egyptians dead upon the sands. The sight very much affected them. While men see God's works, and feel the benefit, they fear him and trust in him. How well were it for us, if we were always in as good a frame as sometimes! Behold the end to which a Christian may look forward. His enemies rage, and are mighty; but while he holds fast by God, he shall pass the waves in safety guarded by that very power of his Saviour, which shall come down on every spiritual foe. The enemies of his soul whom he hath seen to-day, he shall see no more for ever

V. 31: “And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.”

“Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. {8} Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. {9} He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. {10} And he saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. {11} And the waters covered their enemies: there was not one of them left. {12} Then believed they his words; they sang his praise” (Psa 106:7-12). 

“Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. {4} For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. {5} For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. {6} Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. {7} He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries. {8} Who smote the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and beast. {9} Who sent tokens and wonders into the midst of thee, O Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his servants” (Psa 135:3-9).

[daniel1212av]

(Exo 15)  Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. {2} The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. {3} The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. {4} Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. {5} The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. {6} Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. {7} And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. {8} And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. {9} The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. {10} Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. {11} Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? {12} Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. {13} Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. {14} The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. {15} Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. {16} Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. {17} Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. {18} The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. {19} For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. {20} And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. {21} And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

{22} So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. {23} And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. {24} And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? {25} And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

{26} And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. {27} And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

[daniel1212av]

Exodus 15 -
In this chapter,  I. Israel looks back upon Egypt with a song of praise for their deliverance. Here is,  I. The song itself (v. 1-19).  2. The solemn singing of it (Exo_15:20, Exo_15:21).  II. Israel marches forward in the wilderness (Exo_15:22), and there,  1. Their discontent at the waters of Marah (Exo_15:23, Exo_15:24), and the relief granted them (Exo_15:25, Exo_15:26).  2. Their satisfaction in the waters of Elim (Exo_15:27). – Henry.

EXODUS 15
This chapter contains the song of Moses, and of the children of Israel, on the banks of the Red sea; in which they celebrate their passage through it, the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in it, and the glory of the divine perfections displayed therein, interspersed with prophetic hints of things future, Exo_15:1 which same song was sung by the women, with Miriam at the head of them, attended with timbrels and dances, Exo_15:20, an account is given of the march of the children of Israel from the Red sea to the wilderness of Shur, and of the bitter waters found at Marah, which occasioned a murmuring, and of their being made sweet by casting a tree into them, Exo_15:22 when they were told by the Lord, that if they would yield obedience to his commandments, they should be free from the diseases the Egyptians had been afflicted with, Exo_15:26, and the chapter is concluded with their coming to Elim, where they found twelve wells of water, and seventy palm trees, and there encamped, Exo_15:27. – Gill.

The essence of this song is what the seven angels having the seven last plagues sing , “the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. {4} Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest” (Rev. 15:1).  Praise be to God.

Exo_15:19-21
In the words “Pharaoh's horse, with his chariots and horsemen,” Pharaoh, riding upon his horse as the leader of the army, is placed at the head of the enemies destroyed by Jehovah. In Exo_15:20, Miriam is called “the prophetess,” not ob poeticam et musicam facultatem (Ros.), but because of her prophetic gift, which may serve to explain her subsequent opposition to Moses (Num_11:1, Num_11:6); and “the sister of Aaron,” though she was Moses' sister as well, and had been his deliverer in his infancy, not “because Aaron had his own independent spiritual standing by the side of Moses” (Baumg.), but to point out the position which she was afterwards to occupy in the congregation of Israel, namely, as ranking, not with Moses, but with Aaron, and like him subordinate to Moses, who had been placed at the head of Israel as the mediator of the Old Covenant, and as such was Aaron's god (Exo_4:16, Kurtz). As prophetess and sister of Aaron she led the chorus of women, who replied to the male chorus with timbrels and dancing, and by taking up the first strophe of the song, and in this way took part in the festival; a custom that was kept up in after times in the celebration of victories (Jdg_11:34; 1Sa_18:6-7; 1Sa_21:12; 1Sa_29:5), possibly in imitation of an Egyptian model (see my Archäologie, §137, note .

Exo 15:20 - And Miriam the prophetess - We have already seen that Miriam was older than either Moses or Aaron: for when Moses was exposed on the Nile, she was a young girl capable of managing the stratagem used for the preservation of his life; and then Aaron was only three years and three months old, for he was fourscore and three years old when Moses was but fourscore, (see Exo_7:7); so that Aaron was older than Moses, and Miriam considerably older than either, not less probably than nine or ten years of age.  – Clarke.

Miriam is called a prophetess, evidently Num_12:2 because she and Aaron had received divine communications.  – Barnes.

V.  20b: all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances--We shall understand this by attending to the modern customs of the East, where the dance--a slow, grave, and solemn gesture, generally accompanied with singing and the sound of the timbrel, is still led by the principal female of the company, the rest imitating her movements and repeating the words of the song as they drop from her lips. – JFB

Exo 15:22  So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea... Here as in this whole story, the importance of obedience to  leadership that is itself obedient to God is manifested. Left to themselves, they never would have left Egypt, and when pursued by they enemies they would have likely scattered and died or returned, and here they might have yet gone back, seeing their enemies were vanquished and more spoil cold be taken. Likewise many come to Christ out of great temporal distress, but may fall away when they realize deliverance by God, and a visible world beckons them. But Moses is following Him Who is invisible, to greater spiritual victories in great trials, and to  true blessings and an inheritance incorruptible, and a earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Pet. 3:130.   

Exo 15:22b and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water; which must be very distressing to such a vast number of people and cattle, in a hot, sandy, desert: this doubtless gave occasion to the stories told by Heathen authors, as Tacitus (e), and others, that the people of the Jews, under the conduct of Moses, were near perishing for want of water, when, following a flock of wild asses, which led them to a rock covered with a grove of trees, they found large fountains of water: the three days they travelled here were the twenty second, third and fourth, of Nisan, in the beginning of April. – K+D.


Exo 15:22-27  Hypocrites may show high affections, and appear earnest in religious exercises, but in the time of temptation they fall away. Even true believers, in seasons of sharp trial, will be tempted to fret, distrust, and murmur. But in every trial we should cast our care upon the Lord, and pour out our hearts before him. We shall then find that a submissive will, a peaceful conscience, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost, will render the bitterest trial tolerable, yea, pleasant. Moses did what the people had neglected to do; he cried unto the Lord. And God provided graciously for them. He directed Moses to a tree which he cast into the waters, when, at once, they were made sweet. Some make this tree typical of the cross of Christ, which sweetens the bitter waters of affliction to all the faithful, and enables them to rejoice in tribulation. But a rebellious Israelite shall fare no better than a rebellious Egyptian. The threatening is implied only, the promise is expressed. God is the great Physician. If we are kept well, it is he that keeps us; if we are made well, it is he that recovers us. He is our life and the length of our days. Let us not forget that we are kept from destruction, and delivered from our enemies, to be the Lord's servants. At Elim they had good water, and enough of it. Though God may, for a time, order his people to encamp by the bitter waters of Marah, that shall not always be their lot. Let us not faint at tribulations. – MHCC

Exo 15:25 -
A tree ... - The statement points to a natural agency, but the result was manifestly supernatural.
He made ... - The Lord then set before them the fundamental principle of implicit trust, to be shown by obedience. The healing of the water was a symbol of deliverance from physical and spiritual evils.

Exo 15:25 - And he cried unto the Lord - It is the greatest relief of the cares of magistrates and ministers, when those under their charge make them uneasy, that they may have recourse to God by prayer; he is the guide of the church's guides, and to the chief shepherd, the under shepherds must on all occasions apply themselves: And the Lord directed Moses to a tree, which he cast into the waters, and they were made sweet - Some think this wood had a peculiar virtue in it for this purpose, because it is said, God shewed him the tree. God is to be acknowledged, not only in the creating things useful for man, but in discovering their usefulness. But perhaps this was only a sign, and not a means of the cure, no more than the brazen serpent. There he made a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them - That is, there he put them upon trial, admitted them as probationers for his favour. In short he tells them, Exo_15:26, what he expected from them, and that was, in one word, obedience. They must diligently hearken to his voice, and give ear to his commandments, and must take care, in every thing, to do that which was right in God's sight, and to keep all his statutes.

Then I will put none of these diseases upon thee - That is, I will not bring upon thee any of the plagues of Egypt. This intimates, that if they were disobedient, the plagues which they had seen inflicted on their enemies should be brought on them. But if thou wilt be obedient, thou shalt be safe, the threatening is implied, but the promise is expressed, I am the Lord that healeth thee - And will take care of thee wherever thou goest. – Wesley.

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(Exo 16)  And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. {2} And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: {3} And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. {4} Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. {5} And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. {6} And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: {7} And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us? {8} And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD. {9} And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings. {10} And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. {11} And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, {12} I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. {13} And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. {14} And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. {15} And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. {16} This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. {17} And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. {18} And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. {19} And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. {20} Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. {21} And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

 {22} And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. {23} And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. {24} And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. {25} And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. {26} Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. {27} And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. {28} And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? {29} See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. {30} So the people rested on the seventh day.

 {31} And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. {32} And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. {33} And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. {34} As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. {35} And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. {36} Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah.

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Ex. 16: The (second) Murmuring, the Miraculous Manna, the Mandated  Rest, and the Memorial.

Exo 16:1-12 -
The provisions of Israel, brought from Egypt, were spent by the middle of the second month, and they murmured. It is no new thing for the greatest kindness to be basely represented as the greatest injuries. They so far undervalue their deliverance, that they wished they had died in Egypt; and by the hand of the Lord, that is, by the plagues which cut off the Egyptians. We cannot suppose they had plenty in Egypt, nor could they fear dying for want in the wilderness, while they had flocks and herds: none talk more absurdly than murmurers. When we begin to fret, we ought to consider, that God hears all our murmurings. God promises a speedy and constant supply. He tried whether they would trust him, and rest satisfied with the bread of the day in its day. Thus he tried if they would serve him, and it appeared how ungrateful they were. When God plagued the Egyptians, it was to make them know he was their Lord; when he provided for the Israelites, it was to make them know he was their God. – MHCC

Vs. 1 – 3: After realizing a multitude of manifest miracles and their behalf, and after over a month of actual seeing the Lord lead them, the children of Israel, having apparently spent their provisions, yet fall into their second (cf. 15:24) instance of faithless murmuring (a spiritual “heart murmur”) and whining expectation of the worst. It is amazing that despite the Lord's gracious goodness to us, we can be rather faithless and anxious in  temporary adversities. The disciples of Jesus, after seeing Him miraculously feed 9,000 people, supposed that Jesus was reproving them because they had forgotten to take bread (Mt. 16:5-12). But the sin of the children of Israel here and in the previous chapter was not simply faithlessness, but a default attitude that God and Moses had a malevolent purpose, in these cases it was to kill them. This is expectation a lie from the devil, which has it's first manifestation in the temptation of Adam and Eve in Gn. 3:1-5). There, the subtle lying serpent inferred that God was keeping them from something good by His command, rather than doing what was best for them and keeping them from hurt. But while Eve was cunningly deceived in this instance and disobedient, the Israelites here and in future instances demonstrated a underlying propensity to believe that they were being victimized, a contagious attitude that was born out of bitterness, of dwelling on (reminding themselves of) injustices, and thus expecting the worse. Though they could  rejoice when the power and grace of God was manifest on their behalf, their “root of bitterness” promoted a general lack of faith and provided an open door to believe the lies of the devil when trials came. And which ultimately did most of them in: “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” “Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts  (Heb. 3:19; 4:6, 7). 

Rather than making their prayer to God in looking forward to the demonstration of His power as they “marched toward Zion” as did the early church when tested (Acts 4), the children of Israel looked back toward Egypt (which for us can also be a nice comfortable rut of depression) with rose colored glasses, not at the hard bondage out of which they cried for deliverance, but at the positive things that could be salvaged out it (which also indicates that hunger was typically not part of their Egyptian suffering). “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).” 

Vs. 4: The importance of leadership, especially with immature children, is seen as the LORD   commands Moses, the man of God, what He will do and what they must do. 

Exo 16:13-21 -
At evening the quails came up, and the people caught with ease as many as they needed. The manna came down in dew. They called it “Manna, Manhu,” which means, “What is this?” “It is a portion; it is that which our God has allotted us, and we will take it, and be thankful.” It was pleasant food; it was wholesome food. The manna was rained from heaven; it appeared, when the dew was gone, as a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost, like coriander seed, in colour like pearls. The manna fell only six days in the week, and in double quantity on the sixth day; it bred worms and became offensive if kept more than one day, excepting on the sabbath. The people had never seen it before. It could be ground in a mill, or beaten in a mortar, and was then made into cakes and baked. It continued the forty years the Israelites were in the wilderness, wherever they went, and ceased when they arrived in Canaan. All this shows how different it was from any thing found before, or found now. They were to gather the manna every morning. We are hereby taught, 1. To be prudent and diligent in providing food for ourselves and our households; with quietness working, and eating our own bread, not the bread of idleness or deceit. God's bounty leaves room for man's duty; it did so even when manna was rained; they must not eat till they have gathered. 2. To be content with enough. Those that have most, have for themselves but food and raiment; those that have least, generally have these; so that he who gathers much has nothing over, and he who gathers little has no lack. There is not such a disproportion between one and another in the enjoyment of the things of this life, as in the mere possession of them. 3. To depend upon Providence: let them sleep quietly, though they have no bread in their tents, nor in all their camp, trusting that God, with the following day, would bring them in their daily bread. It was surer and safer in God's storehouse than their own, and would come thence sweeter and fresher. See here the folly of hoarding. The manna laid up by some, who thought themselves wiser, and better managers, than their neighbours, and who would provide lest it should fail next day, bred worms, and became good for nothing. That will prove to be most wasted, which is covetously and distrustfully spared. Such riches are corrupted, Jam_5:2, Jam_5:3. The same wisdom, power, and goodness that brought food daily from above for the Israelites in the wilderness, brings food yearly out of the earth in the constant course of nature, and gives us all things richly to enjoy. – MHCC

Exo 16:22-31 -
Here is mention of a seventh-day sabbath. It was known, not only before the giving of the law upon mount Sinai, but before the bringing of Israel out of Egypt, even from the beginning, Gen_2:3. The setting apart one day in seven for holy work, and, in order to that, for holy rest, was ever since God created man upon the earth, and is the most ancient of the Divine laws. Appointing them to rest on the seventh day, he took care that they should be no losers by it; and none ever will be losers by serving God. On that day they were to fetch in enough for two days, and to make it ready. This directs us to contrive family affairs, so that they may hinder us as little as possible in the work of the sabbath. Works of necessity are to be done on that day; but it is desirable to have as little as may be to do, that we may apply ourselves the more closely to prepare for the life that is to come. When they kept manna against a command, it stank; when they kept it by a command, it was sweet and good; every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. On the seventh day God did not send the manna, therefore they must not expect it, nor go out to gather. This showed that it was produced by miracle. – MHCC

Exo 16:32-36 -
God having provided manna to be his people's food in the wilderness, the remembrance of it was to be preserved. Eaten bread must not be forgotten. God's miracles and mercies are to be had in remembrance. The word of God is the manna by which our souls are nourished, Mat_4:4. The comforts of the Spirit are hidden manna, Rev_2:17. These come from heaven, as the manna did, and are the support and comfort of the Divine life in the soul, while we are in the wilderness of this world. Christ in the word is to be applied to the soul, and the means of grace are to be used. We must every one of us gather for ourselves, and gather in the morning of our days, the morning of our opportunities; which if we let slip, it may be too late to gather. The manna must not be hoarded up, but eaten; those who have received Christ, must by faith live upon him, and not receive his grace in vain. There was manna enough for all, enough for each, and none had too much; so in Christ there is enough, but not more than we need. But those who ate manna, hungered again, died at last, and with many of them God was not well pleased; whereas they that feed on Christ by faith, shall never hunger, and shall die no more, and with them God will be for ever well pleased. Let us seek earnestly for the grace of the Holy Spirit, to turn all our knowledge of the doctrine of Christ crucified, into the spiritual nourishment of our souls by faith and love. MHCC

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(Exo 17)  And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. {2} Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? {3} And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? {4} And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. {5} And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. {6} Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. {7} And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

{8} Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. {9} And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. {10} So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. {11} And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. {12} But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. {13} And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. {14} And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. {15} And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: {16} For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

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In this chapter we have the second test of thirst (cf. 15:22-25), and third over all (cf. 16) and the first mention of Joshua, and the first war in which the delivered children of Israel fought. We thus have the third manifest failure of the children of Israel in their journey, and the first victory by Moses and Joshua in physical combat.

Vs. 1 – 7: After seeing almighty God  part the mighty Red Sea, the children of Israel, having no water, angrily complain to Moses, demanding water and charging him again with malicious intent, that he delivered them in order to kill them and their children and cattle. “Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD” (Dt. 9:7). “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Phil 2:14, 15) . Expressing my discontentment to God or to others in a trail is something i am guilty of, and which must be repented of and overcome. Only if  we delight in the LORD, regardless of circumstances,  can we overcome our carnal dispositions; and with Him thus sanctified, be ready to give an answer to those that ask the reason for our hope (1 Pet. 3:15).

They being so faithless,  ungrateful; discontented, and angry that they are close to stoning him, Moses cries out to the LORD to know what to do. The LORD instructs him to use his rod again, this time to stand upon the rock in Horeb  and to hit it, and thus water will come out for the people to drink. That Moses does so in the sight of the elder is significant, as they are to be the leaders who are to help shepherd (which includes disciplining them) the flock. Moses calls the name of that place where the malcontented children of Israel angrily complained to Moses and tempted the LORD , Massah, and Meribah, both of which basically mean “a place in the desert (Strongs), but which denote “temptation” and “strife and contention” respectively (BDB).

Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. (Psa 81:7) 

Exo 17:1-7 -
The children of Israel journeyed according to the commandment of the Lord, led by the pillar of cloud and fire, yet they came to a place where there was no water for them to drink. We may be in the way of duty, yet may meet with troubles, which Providence brings us into, for the trial of our faith, and that God may be glorified in our relief. They began to question whether God was with them or not. This is called their “tempting God,” which signifies distrust of him after they had received such proofs of his power and goodness. Moses mildly answered them. It is folly to answer passion with passion; that makes bad worse. God graciously appeared to help them. How wonderful the patience and forbearance of God toward provoking sinners! That he might show his power as well as his pity, and make it a miracle of mercy, he gave them water out of a rock. God can open fountains for us where we least expect them. Those who, in this wilderness, keep to God's way, may trust him to provide for them. Also, let this direct us to depend on Christ's grace. The apostle says, that Rock was Christ, 1Co_10:4, it was a type of him. While the curse of God might justly have been executed upon our guilty souls, behold the Son of God is smitten for us. Let us ask and receive. There was a constant, abundant supply of this water. Numerous as believers are, the supply of the Spirit of Christ is enough for all. The water flowed from the rock in streams to refresh the wilderness, and attended them on their way towards Canaan; and this water flows from Christ, through the ordinances, in the barren wilderness of this world, to refresh our souls, until we come to glory. A new name was given to the place, in remembrance, not of the mercy of their supply, but of the sin of their murmuring: “Massah,” Temptation, because they tempted God; “Meribah,” Strife, because they chid with Moses. Sin leaves a blot upon the name. – MHCC

Vs. 8 – 16: Up until now the only real war of physical combat(that i recall)  that seems sanctioned by  God was that of Abraham, who armed his trained servants, and defeated the 4 kings that took captive Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods and recovered them all (Gn. 14).  An instance of war – or rather deceit, ambush and massacre, was that the sons of Jacob going of on their own in slaughtering the town of Shechem (Gn. 34).  The LORD could have easily defeated them without any human instrumentation, or as in the case with Pharaoh, by such a things as an otherwise ordinary rod, and without any physical combat, but the LORD manifests that can also work while we labor. In this case it is by supernatural help in combat as long as Moses kept his arm raised with the rod. All the military powers would lust to have such a weapon, but only by the special anointing of God was such a means so utterly powerful.

Vs. 12: This shows that while Moses was utterly “co-dependent upon almighty God,   the LORD also has made interdependent upon each other,. In this case chosen men of God Joshua and   “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:19).

Vs. 14 – 16: That Joshua is the man chosen by God begins to become apparent here and shall be more evident later. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isa 43:10) .

V. 15. Moses, like men of God before him, builds an altar to worship the LORD his God, his strength,.song and salvation. 

That Amalek represents the flesh is seen here, and later the command is given (i think when the iniquity of that people is full), to “go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass”  (1 Sam 15:3).

Likewise the flesh is to be crucified, and left alone to die, by yielding to the Holy Spirit of Christ in obeying His word (Rm. 6 – .  “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rm. 8:7).
 

Exo 17:8-16 -
Israel engaged with Amalek in their own necessary defence. God makes his people able, and calls them to various services for the good of his church. Joshua fights, Moses prays, both minister to Israel. The rod was held up, as the banner to encourage the soldiers. Also to God, by way of appeal to him. Moses was tired. The strongest arm will fail with being long held out; it is God only whose hand is stretched out still. We do not find that Joshua's hands were heavy in fighting, but Moses' hands were heavy in praying; the more spiritual any service is, the more apt we are to fail and flag in it. To convince Israel that the hand of Moses, whom they had been chiding, did more for their safety than their own hands, his rod than their sword, the success rises and falls as Moses lifts up or lets down his hands. The church's cause is more or less successful, as her friends are more or less strong in faith, and fervent in prayer. Moses, the man of God, is glad of help. We should not be shy, either of asking help from others, or of giving help to others. The hands of Moses being thus stayed, were steady till the going down of the sun. It was great encouragement to the people to see Joshua before them in the field of battle, and Moses above them on the hill. Christ is both to us; our Joshua, the Captain of our salvation, who fights our battles, and our Moses, who ever lives, making intercession above, that our faith fail not. Weapons formed against God's Israel cannot prosper long, and shall be broken at last. Moses must write what had been done, what Amalek had done against Israel; write their bitter hatred; write their cruel attempts; let them never be forgotten, nor what God had done for Israel in saving them from Amalek. Write what should be done; that in process of time Amalek should be totally ruined and rooted out. Amalek's destruction was typical of the destruction of all the enemies of Christ and his kingdom. – MHCC

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(Exo 18)  When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; {2} Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, {3} And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: {4} And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: {5} And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: {6} And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her. {7} And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent. {8} And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them. {9} And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. {10} And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. {11} Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them. {12} And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

{13} And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. {14} And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? {15} And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: {16} When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. {17} And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. {18} Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. {19} Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: {20} And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. {21} Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: {22} And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. {23} If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. {24} So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. {25} And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. {26} And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. {27} And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

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Vs. 1 – 12: Up until the last chapter, we did not see Moses receiving much human help outside of Aaron since he began his deliverance and shepherding ministry; as the Holy Spirit mainly revealed Moses interaction with the living and true God as a holy vessel, and this is only the 3rd  chapter (cf. 3 + 15) since Moses' encounter at the burning bush that it is not directly stated that the LORD spoke unto Moses (“the LORD said unto Moses” is recorded 55 times, in Scripture and “God spake Moses”  2 times), though we see how he had to intercede for the multitudes that come to him (v. 15).  In this chapter we see about the most that is recorded about the nature of Moses father in law Jethro, and it reveals that he evidently was a worshiper of the living and true God, or at least more fully became one here.  He “rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel”  (v. 9b; cf. Acts 15:12), and blesses the LORD and declares ”Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them” (v. 11). Miraculous signs are powerful testimony of the reality of God,  “For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed.. (Rom 15:18), and thus the devil seeks to imitate them (2 Thes. 2:10)  – or entice men to fabricate them (includes "hype")!

Jethro . . . came . . . unto Moses, &c.--It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Exo_19:1-2; compare Deu_1:6, Deu_1:9-15).- JFB.

Exo 18:1 -
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, etc. - Concerning this person and his several names, See Clarke’s note on Exo_2:15, See Clarke’s note on Exo_2:16, See Clarke’s note on Exo_2:18, See Clarke’s note on Exo_3:1, See Clarke’s note on Exo_4:20, See Clarke’s note on Exo_4:24. Jethro was probably the son of Reuel, the father-in-law of Moses, and consequently the brother-in-law of Moses; for the word חתן  chothen, which we translate father-in-law, in this chapter means simply a relative by marriage. See Clarke’s note on Exo_3:1. – Clarke.

Exo 18:1-5 -
The Amalekites had met Israel with hostility, as the prototype of the heathen who would strive against the people and kingdom of God. But Jethro, the Midianitish priest, appeared immediately after in the camp of Israel, not only as Moses' father-in-law, to bring back his wife and children, but also with a joyful acknowledgement of all that Jehovah had done to the Israelites in delivering them from Egypt, to offer burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, and to celebrate a sacrificial meal with Moses, Aaron, and all the elders of Israel; so that in the person of Jethro the first-fruits of the heathen, who would hereafter seek the living God, entered into religious fellowship with the people of God. As both the Amalekites and Midianites were descended from Abraham, and stood in blood-relationship to Israel, the different attitudes which they assumed towards the Israelites foreshadowed and typified the twofold attitude which the heathen world would assume towards the kingdom of God. (On Jethro, see Exo_2:18; on Moses' wife and sons, see Exo_2:21-22; and on the expression in Exo_18:2, “after he had sent her back,” Exo_4:26.) - Jethro came to Moses “into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God.” The mount of God is Horeb (Exo_3:1); and the place of encampment is Rephidim, at Horeb, i.e., at the spot where the Sheikh valley opens into the plain of er Rahah (Exo_17:1). This part is designated as a wilderness; and according to Robinson (1, pp. 130, 131) the district round this valley and plain is “naked desert,” and “wild and desolate.” The occasion for Jethro the priest to bring back to his son-in-law his wife and children was furnished by the intelligence which had reached him, that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt (Exo_18:1), and, as we may obviously supply, had led them to Horeb. When Moses sent his wife and sons back to Jethro, he probably stipulated that they were to return to him on the arrival of the Israelites at Horeb. For when God first called Moses at Horeb, He foretold to him that Israel would be brought to this mountain on its deliverance from Egypt (Exo_3:12). – K+D.

Exo 18:7-12 -
Conversation concerning God's wondrous works is good, and edifies. Jethro not only rejoiced in the honour done to his son-in-law, but in all the goodness done to Israel. Standers-by were more affected with the favours God had showed to Israel, than many were who received them. Jethro gave the glory to Israel's God. Whatever we have the joy of, God must have the praise. They joined in a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Mutual friendship is sanctified by joint worship. It is very good for relations and friends to join in the spiritual sacrifice of prayer and praise, as those that meet in Christ. This was a temperate feast; they did eat bread, manna. Jethro must see and taste that bread from heaven, and though a gentile, is welcome: the gentiles are welcomed to Christ the Bread of life.  – MHCC.

Vs. 8: 13; But Jethro is aghast at the workload of Moses pastoral care, who not only is the mighty deliverer by God of the children of Israel, but who must also intercede for the multitudes. With so great salvation to so great a people came great needs of ministering, in which Moses must delegate some responsibility, in keeping with Divine priorities.  But we have one greater than Moses, Jesus the Son of God, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25).  Praise ye the LORD. So we see how that pastoral ministry is not just doing miracles, neither is it just preaching from a distance, but it is also watching over souls as men “who must give account” (Heb. 13:17b), and helping to bear their burdens. And which includes delegating authority if and as needed, as we see that the LORD designed that even the most might men of His work need help from others. This judicial arraignment was later more formally instituted by God, but with the anointing of the Hoy Spirit, and from whence we better see ecclesiastical ordination (Num. 11:11-17; cf. Dt. 17; Acts 6:1-4; 13:3). .

V. 21: “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:” This correlates to the pastoral provision and requirements for Bishops/Elders seen in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1. Such an office is a high calling, for which both Moses' and David's prior shepherding was helpful to prepare them to. “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” (Prv. 27:23).

Exo 18:13-27 -
Here is the great zeal and the toil of Moses as a magistrate. Having been employed to redeem Israel out of the house of bondage, he is a further type of Christ, that he is employed as a lawgiver and a judge among them. If the people were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, no doubt Moses had many causes brought before him. This business Moses was called to; it appears that he did it with great care and kindness. The meanest Israelite was welcome to bring his cause before him. Moses kept to his business from morning to night. Jethro thought it was too much for him to undertake alone; also it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people. There may be over-doing even in well-doing. Wisdom is profitable to direct, that we may neither content ourselves with less than our duty, nor task ourselves beyond our strength. Jethro advised Moses to a better plan. Great men should not only study to be useful themselves, but contrive to make others useful. Care must be taken in the choice of the persons admitted into such a trust. They should be men of good sense, that understood business, and that would not be daunted by frowns or clamours, but abhorred the thought of a bribe. Men of piety and religion; such as fear God, who dare not to do a base thing, though they could do it secretly and securely. The fear of God will best fortify a man against temptations to injustice. Moses did not despise this advice. Those are not wise, who think themselves too wise to be counselled. – MHCC.

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(Exo 19)  In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. {2} For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. {3} And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; {4} Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. {5} Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: {6} And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. {7} And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. {8} And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. {9} And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. {10} And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, {11} And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. {12} And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: {13} There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. {14} And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. {15} And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives.

{16} And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. {17} And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. {18} And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. {19} And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. {20} And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. {21} And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. {22} And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them. {23} And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it. {24} And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. {25} So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

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Vs. 1 – 6: The people who served in slavery to a pagan nation have seen the mighty hand and deliverance  of  the benevolent living and true God, both in bringing them out of Egypt and in defeating Amalek,  as well as supernaturally providing them water and food. Now therefore, it is time to realize that grace has a purpose, which is holiness (cf. Rm. 8:4).  IF – and there are many if's in the Bible – they obey God's voice, and keep His covenant, then God declares, “ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (vs. 5b, 6a)  This corresponds of course to those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus, the lamb of God, and thus baptized by the Spirit into one body (1 Cor.12:13).  “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Pt. 2:9).   

Vs. 7 – 9: Moses calls the Hebrew elders, and declares to them all the words of the covenant which the LORD has set before them, to which “all the people (the elders probably gathered them) answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do” (v. . The people have now formally entered into a covenant, or agreement, wit the LORD, which has two parts, the Lord's and theirs. Moses tells the LORD  their response, who promises to speak to Moses out of a thick cloud, so “that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever” (v. 9). As in the book of Acts (2), when the LORD will confirm this covenant in a very evident manner. The mediator Moses returns the words of the LORD  back again to the people.

Vs. 10 – before God's people can hear the word of the LORD they must sanctify themselves, shown here by the washing of their clothes (which could set a precedent for putting clean clothes on for church). Before the priests could minister at the altar they had to wash at the laver (Ex. 30:18-21). And so must be washed us from our sins in the precious sinless of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ (Rv. 1:5), and so the tribulation saints are said to have "washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb"  (Rv. 17:14).

Exo 19:9-15 -
The solemn manner in which the law was delivered, was to impress the people with a right sense of the Divine majesty. Also to convince them of their own guilt, and to show that they could not stand in judgment before God by their own obedience. In the law, the sinner discovers what he ought to be, what he is, and what he wants. There he learns the nature, necessity, and glory of redemption, and of being made holy. Having been taught to flee to Christ, and to love him, the law is the rule of his obedience and faith. – MHCC

Exo 19:10 - Sanctify the people - As Job before sent and sanctified his sons, Job_1:5. Sanctify them, that is, call them off from their worldly business, and call them to religious exercises, meditation and prayer, that they may receive the law from God's mouth with reverence and devotion. Two things particularly were prescribed as instances of their preparation. 1st, In token of cleansing of themselves from all sinful pollutions, they must wash their clothes. Not that God regards our clothes, but while they were washing their clothes, he would have them think of washing their souls by repentance. It becomes us to appear in clean clothes when we wait upon great men; so clean hearts are required in our attendance on the great God. 2dly, In token of their devoting themselves entirely to religious exercises upon this occasion they must abstain even from lawful enjoyments during these three days, and not come at their wives. – Wesley.

Exo 19:16 - Now at length is come that memorable day, in which Israel heard the voice of the Lord God speaking to them out of the midst of the fire and lived, Deu_4:33. Never was there such a sermon preached before or since, as this, which was here preached to the church in the wilderness. For, the preacher was God himself, Exo_19:17, The Lord descended in fire; and Exo_19:18. The Lord came down upon mount Sinai. The Shechinah, or glory of the Lord, appeared in the sight of all the people; he shined forth from mount Paran with ten thousand of his saints, attended with a multitude of the holy angels. Hence the law is said to be given by the disposition of angels, Act_7:53. He spake from mount Sinai, hung with a thick cloud, Exo_19:16, covered with smoke, Exo_19:18, and made to quake greatly. Now it was that the earth trembled at the presence of the Lord, and the mountains skipped like rams, Psa_114:4, Psa_114:7, that Sinai itself, though rough and rocky, melted from before the Lord God of Israel, Jdg_5:5. The congregation was called together by the sound of a trumpet exceeding loud, Exo_19:16, and waxing louder and louder, Exo_19:19. This was done by the ministry of the angels, and made all the people tremble. The introductions to the service were thunders and lightnings, Exo_19:16. These have natural causes; but the scripture directs us in a particular manner to take notice of the power of God, and his terror in them. Thunder is the voice of God, and lightning the fire of God, proper to engage both the learning senses of seeing and hearing. – Wesley

Vs. 12, 13: The LORD can sanctify physical things and locations, and when they are, they are not to be treated as that which is common. And to do so, whether it be God's name, His word, or His people and that which is consecrated to His use, constitutes profanity. And which could be, as here, punishable by death.

Vs. 16 – 19: The power and infinite holiness of almighty God which frail and sinful man cannot approach nor fully see or has seen is manifest here. Apart from the blood of Christ we could not draw near to almighty God any more than a piece of paper could approach a blast furnace.

“For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, {19} And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: {20} (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: {21} And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) {22} But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, {23} To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, {24} And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. {25} See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: {26} Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. {27} And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. {28} Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: {29} For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:18-29).

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Ex. 19 Contd.

Exo 19:16-25 -
After these preparations, on the morning of the third day (from the issuing of this divine command), Jehovah came down upon the top of Mount Sinai (Exo_19:20), manifesting His glory in fire as the mighty, jealous God, in the midst of thunders (קלת) and lightnings, so that the mountain burned with fire (Deu_4:11; Deu_5:20), and the smoke of the burning mountain ascended as the smoke (עשׁן for עשׁן), and the whole mountain trembled (Exo_19:18), at the same time veiling in a thick cloud the fire of His wrath and jealousy, by which the unholy are consumed. Thunder and lightning bursting forth from the thick cloud, and fire with smoke, were the elementary substrata, which rendered the glory of the divine nature visible to men, though in such a way that the eye of mortals beheld no form of the spiritual and invisible Deity. These natural phenomena were accompanied by a loud trumpet blast, which “blew long and waxed louder and louder” (Exo_19:16 and Exo_19:19; see Gen_8:3), and was, as it were, the herald's call, announcing to the people the appearance of the Lord, and summoning them to assemble before Him and listen to His words, as they sounded forth from the fire and cloudy darkness. The blast (קול) of the shophar (Exo_19:19), i.e., the σάλπιγξ Θεοῦ, the trump of God, such a trumpet as is used in the service of God (in heaven, 1Th_4:16; see Winer's Grammar), is not “the voice of Jehovah,” but a sound resembling a trumpet blast. Whether this sound was produced by natural means, or, as some of the earlier commentators supposed, by angels, of whom myriads surrounded Jehovah when He came down upon Sinai (Deu_33:2), it is impossible to decide. At this alarming phenomenon, “all the people that was in the camp trembled” (Exo_19:16). For according to Exo_20:20 (17), it was intended to inspire them with a salutary fear of the majesty of God. Then Moses conducted the people (i.e., the men) out of the camp of God, and stationed them at the foot of the mountain outside the barrier (Exo_19:17); and “Moses spake” (Exo_19:19), i.e., asked the Lord for His commands, “and God answered loud” (בּקול), and told him to come up to the top of the mountain. He then commanded him to go down again, and impress upon the people that no one was to break through to Jehovah to see, i.e., to break down the barriers that were erected around the mountain as the sacred place of God, and attempt to penetrate into the presence of Jehovah. Even the priests, who were allowed to approach God by virtue of their office, were to sanctify themselves, that Jehovah might not break forth upon them (יפרץ), i.e., dash them to pieces. (On the form העדתה for העידת, see Ewald, §199 a). The priests were neither “the sons of Aaron,” i.e., Levitical priest, nor the first-born or principes populi, but “those who had hitherto discharged the duties of the priestly office according to natural right and custom” (Baumgarten). Even these priests were too unholy to be able to come into the presence of the holy God. This repeated enforcement of the command not to touch the mountain, and the special extension of it even to the priests, were intended to awaken in the people a consciousness of their own unholiness quite as much as of the unapproachable holiness of Jehovah. But this separation from God, which arose from the unholiness of the nation, did not extend to Moses and Aaron, who were to act as mediators, and were permitted to ascend the mountain. Moreover, the prospect of ascending the holy mountain “at the drawing of the blast” was still before the people (Exo_19:13). And the strict prohibition against breaking through the barrier, to come of their own accord into the presence of Jehovah, is by no means at variance with this. When God gave the sign to ascend the mountain, the people might and were to draw near to Him. This sign, viz., the long-drawn trumpet blast, was not to be given in any case till after the promulgation of the ten words of the fundamental law. But it was not given even after this promulgation; not, however, because “the development was altogether an abnormal one, and not in accordance with the divine appointment in Exo_19:13, inasmuch as at the thunder, the lightning, and the sound of the trumpet, with which the giving of the law was concluded, they lost all courage, and instead of waiting for the promised signal, were overcome with fear, and ran from the spot,” for there is not a word in the text about running away; but because the people were so terrified by the alarming phenomena which accompanied the coming down of Jehovah upon the mountain, that they gave up the right of speaking with God, and from a fear of death entreated Moses to undertake the intercourse with God in their behalf (Exo_20:18-21). Moreover, we cannot speak of an “abnormal development” of the drama, for the simple reason, that God not only foresaw the course and issue of the affair, but at the very outset only promised that He would come to Moses in a thick cloud (Exo_19:9), and merely announced and carried out His own descent upon Mount Sinai before the eyes of the people in the terrible glory of His sacred majesty (Exo_19:11), for the purpose of proving the people, that His fear might be before their eyes (Exo_20:20; cf. Deu_5:28-29). Consequently, apart from the physical impossibility of 600,000 ascending the mountain, it never was intended that all the people should do so.

What God really intended, came to pass. After the people had been received into fellowship with Jehovah through the atoning blood of the sacrifice, they were permitted to ascend the mountain in the persons of their representatives, and there to see God (Exo_24:9-11). – K+D

Exo 19:16-25 -
Never was there such a sermon preached, before or since, as this which was preached to the church in the wilderness. It might be supposed that the terrors would have checked presumption and curiosity in the people; but the hard heart of an unawakened sinner can trifle with the most terrible threatenings and judgments. In drawing near to God, we must never forget his holiness and greatness, nor our own meanness and pollution. We cannot stand in judgment before him according to his righteous law. The convinced transgressor asks, What must I do to be saved? and he hears the voice, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. The Holy Ghost, who made the law to convince of sin, now takes of the things of Christ, and shows them to us. In the gospel we read, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Through him we are justified from all things, from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses. But the Divine law is binding as a rule of life. The Son of God came down from heaven, and suffered poverty, shame, agony, and death, not only to redeem us from its curse, but to bind us more closely to keep its commands. – MHCC

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(Exo 20)  And God spake all these words, saying, {2} I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. {3} Thou shalt have no other gods before me. {4} Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: {5} Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; {6} And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. {7} Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. {8} Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. {9} Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: {10} But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: {11} For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. {12} Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. {13} Thou shalt not kill. {14} Thou shalt not commit adultery. {15} Thou shalt not steal. {16} Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. {17} Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. {18} And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. {19} And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. {20} And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. {21} And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. {22} And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. {23} Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. {24} An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. {25} And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. {26} Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.